Microsoft Word Alternatives

Microsoft Word is one of the most widely used word processors, known for document editing, formatting, collaboration, and AI-assisted writing. Still, many users look for alternatives—often because of cost, licensing, or platform preferences.

On this page, you’ll find Microsoft Word alternatives that cover a wide range of needs. Some focus on being open source, others on strong real-time collaboration, and many work across platforms like Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can use the filters to narrow the list based on what matters most to you.

If you prefer a free and open solution, LibreOffice Writer and ONLYOFFICE are popular choices, offering desktop apps and good Microsoft Word file compatibility. For users who mainly work in a browser, Google Docs emphasizes easy sharing and live co-editing without installing anything. Privacy-focused users may want to explore Proton Docs, which stores documents with end-to-end encryption.

Word alternatives generally fall into two groups: offline desktop editors for working without an internet connection, and cloud-based editors designed for teams collaborating in real time. Some tools support self-hosting for full data control, while others prioritize convenience and instant access from any device.

Use the filters above to compare features like PDF export, spell checking, collaboration tools, platform support, and licensing—and find the Word alternative that best fits your workflow.

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Alternatives list

  1. A set of office applications for creating text and spreadsheet documents: "MyOffice Text" and "MyOffice Spreadsheet".

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
     
  2. Dabble icon
     8 likes

    Craft your story. Write your novel. Dabble is software for writing novels for the desktop (Mac and Windows) and browser, syncing between computers.

    70 Dabble alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
     
  3. Author icon
     7 likes

    macOS app to create & share beautiful documents on web without any design skills

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
  4. Ellipsus icon
     2 likes

    Ellipsus is a collaborative writing tool purpose-built for creative writers. Designed for seamless collaboration and fearless creativity, Ellipsus makes it easier than ever to write, edit, and share stories—with anyone and on any device.

    3 Ellipsus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
     
  5. MS-365-Electron streamlines your workflow by offering a dedicated desktop interface for the free, web-based version of Microsoft 365. Think of it as a convenient launchpad for web applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, eliminating the need to navigate through browser...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Snapcraft
     
  6. Verbum is a simple, user friendly word processor that works with a wide selection of file formats. When working with Verbum, do not expect to find fancy ribbon menus or lots of tools, like in Microsoft Office.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  7. AbleWord icon
     14 likes

    AbleWord is a very capable word processing application that can read and write most popular document formats including PDF's.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  8. Plot Factory icon
     4 likes

    A tailor-made writing application for fiction writers that lets you plan, organize, and write stories and series. You can create story outlines from pre-defined templates, create and manage rich and interesting characters, build immersive fictional worlds and more.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
     
  9. Bit.ai icon
     5 likes

    Bit.ai is a next-gen document collaboration platform that offers a smart editor to create interactive live docs, robust digital content library, & document tracking so teams can see how audiences interact with documents they share.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
     
  10. ConstEdit icon
     5 likes

    ConstEdit word processor is a Google Chrome / Microsoft Edge web browser extension. It writes doc in the html format, which is the standard internet webpage format. Documents written are therefore directly viewable with any web browsers.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  11. WordTsar icon
     1 like

    WordTsar is a Wordstar 7.0D document mode clone. It loads Wordstar 4, Wordstar 7, RTF (partial), and DOCX (partial) files, and saves in Wordstar 7 and RTF format.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  12. Fidus Writer icon
     17 likes

    Fidus Writer is an online collaborative LaTeX editor especially made for academics who need to use citations and/or formulas. The editor focuses on the content rather than the layout, so that with the same text, you can later on publish it in multiple ways: On a website, as a...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
     
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